Looking for guidance... first service experience... really bad.

[MrMoose]

Let me start from the beginning. When I took delivery, the boat came with the wrong anchor kit (pre 2015), and also came with the wrong premium mooring cover (242LS). The dealer offered to swap the anchor kit with the correct one, and they said that they ordered the correct cover. I live 2.5 hrs away from this dealer, but there is a dealer who is only 20 minutes away (didn't have the boat that I wanted to buy). We decided to wait till I brought the boat in for the 10 hour service to take care of things. In the meantime, I bought my own anchor (didn't want to use the one that I was returning) and the dealer gave me a credit for their cost on the one that I returned, even though I was spending over $400 with them for my first service and some spare parts... not at their cost, but not a show stopper. They forgot to order the mooring cover, which is an issue because I need it for the Bimini trip, but they said that they'd try to have it shipped to my house ASAP.
So, although they screwed up, after much discussion, they are rectifying their mistakes, but I may end up having to use my torn shipping cover in Bimini.
I don't think that I trust this dealer to bring my boat back to them for more service. They did not warm the engines up before changing the oil. There was a rubber band that was left in the bilge. I asked them to investigate why I get a gallon of water when I pull my drain plug after a 2 hour outing. The would only investigate if I paid them $100 per hour. The cup holders are causing me concern on this boat, so I asked them to tell me where they drain to. They didn't know. I asked them to replace the cup holder in the helm because the drain hose was too short and snapped off the connector. Had I not noticed this, I'd have water leaking into the electronics behind the dash. They could not fix this problem. I'd have to make another 2.5 hour drive when the part came in... although they have non-Yamaha cup holders for sale on their shelf for $15, which they would install for me, not under warranty. More cup holder problems. The starboard swim platform cup holders were not draining. To fix this, their mechanic stuck something into the drain holes. "all fixed" is what I was told. They did verified that the cup holder drained. I asked them where it drained to. "Don't know". When I got home, I took a cup of water and poured it into the good cup holders on the port side swim platform, and the water came out of the drain located just below the cup holders. The dealer specifically told me that this was not the drain for the cup holders. Then, I poured a cup of water into the cup holders that the dealer "fixed". They drained out, but not through the drain port located below the cup holders. My guess is that the mechanic popped off the drain tubes from both cup holders and now the water is draining into the swim platform. After about a gallon of water, nothing was draining from the boat, but water was collecting in the bilge, but not draining out of the drain plug... who knows what else they dropped down there today, because the drain is clogged.
If they can't do simple common sense things, why would I trust them to do something important? I'm considering taking the boat to Texas Marine, but I've been told that it will sit on their lot until they get to it because I did not buy the boat from them. Please PM me if you have dealt with Texas Marine, or any other dealers near Houston... I'd like to get your opinion.
Thanks

 

[Julian]

None of your issues, except the missing mooring cover, seem like a big deal to me. I'd fix the cup holder drains myself....but then again, they never put drains on the older model boats, and mine has run for 12 years without them with no ill effect.

If you don't want to take you boat to them, take it to the close dealer in the off season or maintain it youself....it's easy.

 

[subysti]

What's the difference between the covers for an AR and and LS. I thought the boat hulls were the same? I have a diagram of the cup holder drains if you would like it.

 

[tdonoughue]

I bought and have serviced at Texas Marine. I had a good experience as far as service, timing, etc. was concerned. The price was the thing that left me puckered (not their fault--but $450 for oil, plugs and lube on two engines--I can do that myself way cheaper). I had issues with the bilge pump (was the breaker) and a speaker. All fixed on time, all under warranty, no issues. Though the sale and after answered all of my questions, etc.

Now, I did buy there from them, but I would recommend them if you need.

That having been said, I have found that most stuff, even if it would be under warranty, I have just fixed myself. By the time I drag it out of the water and take off work to get there during normal hours... and most of the stuff has been very minor (tighten this, move that, add this...).

And, since we are neighbors, let me know if you need any help, of course!

 

[MrMoose]

None of your issues, except the missing mooring cover, seem like a big deal to me. I'd fix the cup holder drains myself....but then again, they never put drains on the older model boats, and mine has run for 12 years without them with no ill effect.

If you don't want to take you boat to them, take it to the close dealer in the off season or maintain it youself....it's easy.

Thanks for the advice. Anybody know whether I can get the replacement parts from Yamaha under warranty without having to take it into a dealer?

 

[MrMoose]

What's the difference between the covers for an AR and and LS. I thought the boat hulls were the same? I have a diagram of the cup holder drains if you would like it.

I'd appreciate the cup holder drain diagram. Thanks so much.

 

[Geiger41]

I bought and have serviced at Texas Marine. I had a good experience as far as service, timing, etc. was concerned. The price was the thing that left me puckered (not their fault--but $450 for oil, plugs and lube on two engines--I can do that myself way cheaper). I had issues with the bilge pump (was the breaker) and a speaker. All fixed on time, all under warranty, no issues. Though the sale and after answered all of my questions, etc.

Now, I did buy there from them, but I would recommend them if you need.

That having been said, I have found that most stuff, even if it would be under warranty, I have just fixed myself. By the time I drag it out of the water and take off work to get there during normal hours... and most of the stuff has been very minor (tighten this, move that, add this...).

And, since we are neighbors, let me know if you need any help, of course!

You could order the oil extractor that will last for years for about 80 bucks, 2 pair or engine oil change kits, 80 total, 8 spark plugs 40 dollars, grease 10 bucks. Total 210 dollars. Takes about a half hour to do all that work. Plus you will have extra oil, and grease left over for the next time around. WAY cheaper then the stealers, I mean dealers. Not to mention doinf this stuff helps your knowledge about the motors which is very mind easing.

 

[MrMoose]

I bought and have serviced at Texas Marine. I had a good experience as far as service, timing, etc. was concerned. The price was the thing that left me puckered (not their fault--but $450 for oil, plugs and lube on two engines--I can do that myself way cheaper). I had issues with the bilge pump (was the breaker) and a speaker. All fixed on time, all under warranty, no issues. Though the sale and after answered all of my questions, etc.

Now, I did buy there from them, but I would recommend them if you need.

That having been said, I have found that most stuff, even if it would be under warranty, I have just fixed myself. By the time I drag it out of the water and take off work to get there during normal hours... and most of the stuff has been very minor (tighten this, move that, add this...).our e

And, since we are neighbors, let me know if you need any help, of course!

Thanks for sharing your experience Tim. I was charged 2 hrs service, filters, and oil for the 10 hr service. It came in under $250. I thought that the prices that the dealership charges are reasonable. I just think that they are incompetent. I don't mind fixing things myself, I just hate having to buy the parts when they should be covered under warranty. Thanks for the offer to help out. It's just so damn hot right now and I seem to lose 10 lbs of sweat per hour when I work on the boat.

 

[MrMoose]

You could order the oil extractor that will last for years for about 80 bucks, 2 pair or engine oil change kits, 80 total, 8 spark plugs 40 dollars, grease 10 bucks. Total 210 dollars. Takes about a half hour to do all that work. Plus you will have extra oil, and grease left over for the next time around. WAY cheaper then the stealers, I mean dealers. Not to mention doinf this stuff helps your knowledge about the motors which is very mind easing.

The only part that I'm unsure about is the bearing grease. How much is too much?

 

[tdonoughue]

@geiger41 , that is what I did since the first service. Well, close to it. I don't buy kits. Been working on cars for too long. I just went and got the parts.

@MrMoose , Texas Marine has given me the warranty parts before. I bring them the dead part, they give me the good one. No muss, no fuss. But I completely understand the aversion to buying something already bought. Totally get that. Other than the horn and the deck stereo remote, I have had nothing that I couldn't just re-plug in or swap out easily. On the horn and the remote, I decided that basically the design was faulty and I am not going to mess with them any longer. They only last 6 months and then die again. Not even worth messing with the dealer for those--they are due for a permanent replacement!

 

[MrMoose]

@geiger41 , that is what I did since the first service. Well, close to it. I don't buy kits. Been working on cars for too long. I just went and got the parts.

@MrMoose , Texas Marine has given me the warranty parts before. I bring them the dead part, they give me the good one. No muss, no fuss. But I completely understand the aversion to buying something already bought. Totally get that. Other than the horn and the deck stereo remote, I have had nothing that I couldn't just re-plug in or swap out easily. On the horn and the remote, I decided that basically the design was faulty and I am not going to mess with them any longer. They only last 6 months and then die again. Not even worth messing with the dealer for those--they are due for a permanent replacement!

I told the dealer that driving 2.5 hrs to get the cup holders fixed didn't make sense for me. I asked them to send the parts to me, but they said that I'd have to pay for shipping, so I'm wondering if I could get Yamaha to send the parts to Texas Marine instead.

 

[subysti]

You can try and call Yamaha but they seem useless to me when I call. The first person can only help you if you want a brochure or the correct spelling of Yamaha. The 2nd "specialist" can help with model names or maybe what colors they come in but anything else like brand of speakers or actual technical problems you're having they tell you to contact your local dealer. At least that's what happens when I call. I told them about the wiring issue with the voltage display on the connext system and they told me to see my dealer. The dealer called Yamaha and they told the dealer its wrong but it aint getting fixed. Here is the diagram...........

 

[Julian]

When my boat was under warranty they would only provide warranty parts if the boat was at a registered dealer.....which makes sense.

 

[MrMoose]

You can try and call Yamaha but they seem useless to me when I call. The first person can only help you if you want a brochure or the correct spelling of Yamaha. The 2nd "specialist" can help with model names or maybe what colors they come in but anything else like brand of speakers or actual technical problems you're having they tell you to contact your local dealer. At least that's what happens when I call. I told them about the wiring issue with the voltage display on the connext system and they told me to see my dealer. The dealer called Yamaha and they told the dealer its wrong but it aint getting fixed. Here is the diagram...........

Thanks @subysti That really helps. It seems that all of the on-board cup holders drain into the bilge via drain channels and the swim platform ones drain through the port on vertical wall of the swim platform... the spot where my ex-dealer said that they did not drain through.

 

[MrMoose]

Thanks @subysti That really helps. It seems that all of the on-board cup holders drain into the bilge via drain channels and the swim platform ones drain through the port on vertical wall of the swim platform... the spot where my ex-dealer said that they did not drain through.

I think that I should order a shop manual. @subysti , did you order yours directly from Yamaha?

 

[MrMoose]

I just want to add one last point to my original post. While I was at the dealer today, I jumped up onto a new AR240 that had just been sold. I took a look at the helm/dash cup holder drain through the helm storage door and the hose was just barely hanging on to the cup holder drain. If you have a 2015 with a helm/dash cup holder, you might want to take a look at your drain hose. It would probably be a good idea to install a stainless hose clamp.

 

[tdonoughue]

Ok, look. I am not guaranteeing anything, but call up Texas Marine and see if they will work with you. I bought from Nate Stover. Michael Volmert took me on my test drive. Feel free to use my name. Been a couple of years, but it can't hurt. I don't remember the name of the guy in service, but the manger there knows his stuff too. Try it out. Sure, they may give you the cold shoulder, but tell them that someone (me) who bought from them recommended them. See if they can help. They did a good job by me, despite a high maintenance bill...

 

[MrMoose]

I'll give them a shot. Thanks @tdonoughue

 

[biffdotorg]

I just think that they are incompetent. I don't mind fixing things myself, I just hate having to buy the parts when they should be covered under warranty.

I think after spending that amount of money on a boat, you can only expect everything to be perfect. I agree with you there. I don't think it's fair to judge someone's competence by their ability to troubleshoot a cupholder. I would bet money that they have more questions about the type of spark plug and the gap for a 2012 212x, than how the drain on a cupholder is routed through the hull. And I would bet that they could answer that question in an instant.

That's not downplaying the importance you feel about your cupholders, but my guess is I would have a very smartass answer for you when you ask where your cupholders are draining to, and why you have 2 gallons of water in your bilge in the same breath.

So let's concentrate on the very good things that have happened so far. You got a great boat, for the price you wanted, and it is running perfectly minus some drain hoses on the cup holders. I would say you are doing pretty darn good, and far from your first service being "really bad" The dealers hands are tied as far as warranty parts. And I do doubt there is much demand to keep cupholders or holder drain hoses in stock for warranty purposes. That and the fact that Yamaha has strict policies on sending out parts to non warranty dealers or individuals. And I am sure that policy was put into place based on much more expensive parts and not cup holders. So you never know what they may do with a simple call into them. Who knows, the guys on the phone may field more warranty calls for cupholders than the guys at the dealership.

No matter what, I am making light of your problem, and I don't want to be that guy. I think mutual respect for someone and their chosen profession is fair. If I can't or won't do it, don't badmouth the guy that can. And I'm not sure about you, but when I started changing oil on my Yamaha Sleds, my motorcycles or worked on my own boat, I had much more respect for the guys that do it daily. Give it a shot, you may find out what these guys are really paid for. (it has nothing to do with cupholders)

 

[Julian]

What's the difference between the covers for an AR and and LS.

Pretty sure the towers mount to the hull in different locations, so the location of the straps on the cover to go around the tower would be completely different.

@MrMoose Did/will the dealer ship you the cover to your house?